ALCOHOL 273 



the blood) than is generally desirable, since the respiratory- 

 centre and heart may be depressed, and digestion retarded. 

 In certain conditions, however, as septicaemia, alcohol exerts 

 a decided antipyretic action. Alcohol furthermore favors 

 antipyresis through its diarphoretic and diuretic properties, 

 in causing increased radiation of heat and elimination of 

 toxic products. The most essential action of alcohol in 

 acute diseases consists in stimulating the heart and respira- 

 tion, in equalizing the circulation by overcoming internal 

 congestions through the action on the heart, combined with 

 that causing vascular dilatation. Alcohol naturally increases 

 the force and frequency of the normal heart, and may act 

 likewise in fevers. This effect is undesirable, and for this 

 reason alcohol is contra-indicated in the first stage of sthenic 

 diseases, but in fevers associated with weakness of the heart, 

 alcohol often decreases its rapidity, although increasing the 

 cardiac force. This action may be due to invigoration of the 

 weakened organ. Since alcohol does not always act uni- 

 formly upon t-he heart in febrile conditions, we must be 

 guided by its effect in each case. The pulse, respiration, 

 skin and nervous system are our guides, and the object is to 

 bring the functions into a more normal condition. Alcohol 

 should therefore reduce the frequency of the pulse and 

 respiration, when they are too rapid, and should make the 

 skin moister and the animal quieter. If these results are 

 obtained, the use of the drug should be persisted in ; if 

 otherwise, administration should be stopped. Small and 

 repeated doses are more appropriate in fever. 



Alcohol is one of the most valuable agents at our com- 

 mand in the treatment of surgical shock, collapse, exhaustion, 

 severe hemorrhage, and following exposure to cold. In 

 these conditions it should be given hot and only slightly 

 diluted. In poisoning by drugs which depress the circula- 

 tion, or by toxines resulting from bacterial infection, alcohol 

 is an invaluable remedy. Alcohol is a chemical antidote in 

 carbolic acid poisoning, and besides overcomes the shock 

 produced by the latter ; whiskey or brandy may be used. 



